Saturday, August 09, 2014

Hi-tech fears for young students

LINDA SMITH, Mercury, August 09, 2014 12:00AM

TASMANIAN children are spending so much time playing with smartphones and tablet computers that they are turning up to school with serious eye problems, an early childhood educator says. Kindergarten teacher Judi Rhodes has worked in Tasmanian schools for more than 30 years and said an increasing number of school-aged children were showing up to class without basic life skills and with health problems related to technology overuse. Studies have shown that too much screen time is detrimental to the mental and physical wellbeing of young children and Mrs Rhodes said this was obvious in classrooms.

Plants Won’t Grow Near Wi-Fi Routers, Experiment Finds

It’s not difficult to understand the appeal of Wi-Fi. This revolutionary technology, which has been commercially available since 1999, eliminates cabling and wiring for computers, reduces cellular usage charges and allows us to connect to the Internet from anywhere with a signal. Despite these benefits, however, studies continue to show that the radiation generated by wireless routers is negatively affecting our health. In fact, the British activist website Stop Smart Meters recently published a list of 34 scientific studies demonstrating the adverse biological effects of Wi-Fi exposure, including studies linking it to headaches, reduced sperm count and oxidative stress.

The latest research into the dangers of Wi-Fi, though, comes from a surprisingly humble source: Five ninth grade female students from Denmark, whose science experiment revealed that wireless radiation is equally as devastating to plants.

Undeniable Results

The experiment began when the five students realized that they had difficulty concentrating in school if they slept near their mobile phones the previous night. Intrigued by this phenomenon, the students endeavored to study the effects of cellphone radiation on humans. Unfortunately, their school prevented them from pursuing this experiment due to a lack of resources, so the students decided to test the effects of Wi-Firadiation (comparable in strength to cellphone radiation) on a plant instead.

The girls placed six trays of Lepidium sativum seeds (a garden cress grown commercially throughout Europe) in a room without radiation, and an equal amount in a room next to two Wi-Fi routers. Over a 12-day period, they observed, measured, weighed and photographed the results. Even before the 12th day arrived, however, the end results were obvious: The cress seeds placed near the routers either hadn’t grown or were completely dead, while the seeds placed in the radiation-free room had blossomed into healthy plants.

The experiment earned the five students top honors in a regional science competition. Moreover, according to a teacher at their school, Kim Horsevad, a professor of neuroscience at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden was so impressed with the experiment that he is interested in repeating it in a controlled scientific environment.

You can help reduce your exposure to Wi-Fi radiation by following the advice in this article.

Stanwick is not alone. His call echoes a public
stand taken in 2011 by the Canadian Paediatric Society. “Less is best when it
comes to screen time,” the society said on its website Caring for Kids. “Too
much TV can affect your child’s sleep, cause behavioural problems and leaves
less time for active play.”

Stanwick said new medical, brain-imaging studies
show the importance of interaction with other people to a child’s brain development.
Merely talking to a child, even infants who can’t yet speak, is enormously
important.

“The brain is this amazing organ,” he said. “It
depends on human interaction.”

“A screen is not a substitute,” Stanwick said.
“It certainly doesn’t foster the brain development and stimulate all its
different developmental centres.”

Doctors break down children’s development down to
three stages: in the womb, childhood and teenage years.

At each stage, medical studies have revealed that
children’s brains react and change according to social stimuli. Babies even
show recognition of songs they could only have heard before birth when their
mothers sang them.

Later, in the early and later childhood years,
any lost opportunities for brain growth and development are lost forever.

During teenage years, the brain lays down neural
pathways and networks. Many are permanent patterns that will determine how a
person uses talents and skills later in life.

“And it’s during all those very vulnerable
periods that kids are being exposed to things, whether it’s chemicals or screen
time,” Stanwick said.

He drew a direct link between increased screen
time and the current obesity epidemic.

“Screen time can basically be equated to fat
time,” Stanwick said. “Just moving your thumbs is not associated with a
particularly active, healthy lifestyle.

“We are living with this banquet of high-calorie,
fast food and it’s coupled with ever lower energy expenditures.”

Doctors now regard screen time as addictive,
Stanwick said. Heavy media and Internet users even experience physical
withdrawal symptoms when parted from their screens.

Screen-dependent people are treated using 12-step
programs borrowed from Alcoholics Anonymous and other modification programs.

“There is now no question that we are seeing a
recognized dependency, like a gambling addiction,” Stanwick said.

“And we know if [the dependencies] start in the
teen years, they are going to be more powerful and difficult to manage than if
they start in later years,” he said.

Stanwick sympathizes with modern parents. Society
now faces a vast amount of offerings online and on TV.

“But this is the part where we say, ‘Nobody ever
said it was going to be easy to be a parent,’ ” Stanwick said.

“You have to spend time with your kids and not
only watch what they watch but monitor it and discuss it with them.”

To learn more about the Canadian Paediatric
Society and its positions on TV and screen time, go to caringforkids.cps.ca and
search for screen time.

PR NewswireWASHINGTON Aug. 8 2014WASHINGTON Aug. 8 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A Washington D.C. superior court ruled that five scientific expert witnesses can testify for consumers suffering from brain tumors allegedly caused or promoted by cell phone use Ashcraft & Gerel LLPMorganroth and Morganroth PLLCLundy Lundy Soileau & South L.L.P. and co-counsel said today.Judge Frederick H. Weisberg who is presiding over 13 consolidated lawsuits against the telecom industry ruled that experts met the Dyas/Frye legal standards and can offer testimony related to injury causation and health effects. The court held evidentiary hearings in December 2013 and January 2014 and reviewed hundreds of exhibits.Judge Weisberg noted that while the court did not decide the issue of whether cell phones cause brain tumors new scientific studies and information have emerged recently. His order referred to a May 2014 French case-control epidemiological study that found support for "a possible association between heavy mobile phone use" and brain tumors.Each of the plaintiffs in the litigation suffers from a brain tumor or is suing for a family of someone who died of brain cancer.The plaintiffs are represented by Morganroth and Morganroth PLLC of Birmingham Mich.; Ashcraft & Gerel LLP of Washington D.C. and Lundy Lundy Soileau & South LLP of Lake Charles La.; The Knoll Law Firm LLC of Marksville La.; Pribanic & Pribanic LLC of Pittsburgh; Frasier Frasier & Hickman LLP of Tulsa Okla.; and Bernstein Liebhard LLP of New York.Hunter Lundy of Lundy Lundy Soileau & South LLP said "The telecom industry argued for years that cell phone consumer litigants could not produce scientists who could relate exposure to cell phone radiation to tumors. The ruling today refutes that contention and our experts' opinions having met the Dyas/Frye test are admissible."Jeffrey B. Morganroth of Morganroth and Morganroth PLLC said "We now have opinions and testimony from prominent scientific experts that will be admissible and support our clients' claims that cell phone radiation can cause brain tumors in humans. With this landmark ruling the cases are moving forward to fact discovery."Michelle Parfitt and James F. Green of Ashcraft & Gerel LLP said "The evidence presented at the evidentiary hearings months ago only included publicly available materials and did not include any testing data or information in possession of the defendants. We will seek that information as soon as possible."The first of the consolidated cases is "Michael Patrick Murray et al. v. Motorola Inc. et al." Case No. 2001 CA 008479 B in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. The defendants in the cases are Motorola Inc. Qualcomm Inc. Nokia Inc. Audiovox Communications Corp. and Samsung Telecomm American LLC.Contact: Erin Powers Powers MediaWorks LLC for Ashcraft Gerel LLP info@powersmediaworks.com.SOURCEAshcraft & Gerel LLPPR Newswirehttp://www.prnewswire.com/Last updated on: 09/08/2014

500 million citizens are relying on SCENIHR: Is Science Being Hidden from the Public?

The European Commission in collaboration with the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) under the auspices of the EU Council Greek Presidency organised a major workshop in Athens on EMF electromagnetic fields and health effects with a focus on public awareness, conciliating scientific findings and uncertainties in policy making. The event took place on 27th & 28 March 2014 at Cotsen Hall, Athens, Greece and included presenters from various parties from the European Commission, WHO, public authorities, industry, operators, environmental and consumer associations and academia. The goal of the conference was to reach a common approach for the future in order to respond to public concerns about electromagnetic fields, to enhance information dissemination and discuss new studies and scientific evidence in relation to EMF, and to identify knowledge gaps needed for sound policy making. In this context, the new SCENIHR draft opinion on EMF and potential health effects was presented.

SNIP

“As of March 28, 2014 representatives of the telecom industry, government officials, and WHO scientists absolutely, irrefutably have the latest science from Hardell and know that Hardell himself is calling for RF to be classified a Group 1 carcinogen. The clock has now started ticking on liability. No more excuses. SCENIHR, The industry, the EU Commission, and WHO are now fully informed.”

Leixlip man force medicated for objecting to wi-fi in schools

Stephen Clarke, the father from Leixlip, Co. Kildare, who was referred for psychiatric evaluation stemming from his objection to wi-fi in classrooms is being force medicated unde the care of Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Ann McDonnell at The Mater Hospital,

Jury still out on use of mobile

DC | VINOD NEDUMUDY | August 08, 2014, 05.08 am IST

Psychiatrist C J John says mobile phones have made a sea change on the domestic front.

Kochi: Name the most ubiquitous device in modern life, not even a child will doubt it’s the MOBILE PHONE. It’s there in everyone hands, from the casual worker to the corporate CEO to the minister. It defies poverty indices. It’s a passion with many, who keep on changing sets and have more than one at a time.

The increase in the number of mobile phones has gone up in tandem with the higher usage time. Doctors warn against its continuous use but most people can’t give it up altogether or reduce usage time for different compelling reasons. Are we in the fateful grip of the indispensable communication device as if we were preordained to it? DC talks to experts.

“There are reports of several unspecific symptoms being felt during and after using mobiles, ranging from burning and tingling sensations in the skin of the head and extremities, fatigue, sleep disturbances, dizziness, loss of mental attention, slow reaction time, memory loss, headache, tachycardia (heart palpitations) and disturbances to the digestive system. All of these symptoms are also attributed to stress. Current research cannot pinpoint these symptoms to the direct effect of cell phone use/abuse. Mobile phone generates heat but blood circulating in the brain is capable of disposing of excess heat by increasing local blood flow. However, due to lack of blood supply, the cornea of the eye does not have this temperature regulation mechanism,” says Dr Arun Oommen, consultant neurosurgeon, in Kochi.

A number of studies have established the relationship between mobile phone use and reduced sperm count and sperm quality but have cautioned on the need of further research. Some degree of hearing defect has been noted in excessive users. In 2011, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified mobile phone radiation as Group 2B - possibly carcinogenic. That means that there “could be some risk” of carcinogenicity and so additional research into the long-term and heavy use of mobile phones was needed.

“Tumors are more likely to occur on the side of the head that the cell handset is used. One hour of cell phone use a day may increase tumor risk after 10 years or more,” said Dr Oommen, who added that all these needed to be proved with further research and studies.

“We lack concrete evidence through research to establish it adverse effect. What we have are animal experiments to suggest that holding a mobile phone switched on close to the ear for a long time leads to a tumour. Human experiments are not possible on this score as they are unethical. The real evidence will be out if and when it manifests in the generation that uses mobile phones now. In fact no evidence is on record now as in the case of X-Ray machines. What I can say is that mobile use is safe when the device is placed on the table and connected to the ear through wire. Anyway overuse of mobile is a strict No No,” says cancer physician V P Gangadharan.

“When mobile phones are used very close to some medical devices (including pacemakers, implantable defibrillator and certain hearing aids) there is the possibility of their interfering with procedures. The risk is much reduced with 3G phones and newer equipment,” says Dr Oommen. Excess mobile use is associated with numerous psychological problems. It’s been reported that Jennie Carroll, a technology researcher in Melbourne, identified four distinct disorders — textaphrenia, textiety, post-traumatic text disorder and binge texting- among teens.

Textaphrenia is thinking a message had arrived when it hadn't, while textiety is the anxious feeling of not receiving or sending text messages. With textaphrenia and textiety there's a feeling no one loves me, no one has contacted me, says a report. Post-traumatic stress disorder involved physical and mental injuries from texting, like walking into things while texting and even crossing a road without looking. There are reports from Japan of repetitive thumb syndrome- thumbs growing because of texting, leading to monster thumbs.

Binge texting is teens sending multiple texts to feel good about themselves.

Psychiatrist C J John says mobile phones have made a sea change on the domestic front. “A wife comes to my clinic complaining about her husband, who has no time for her but is always hooked to the mobile phone. It has played havoc with interpersonal communication within the family. From a talking device the mobile phone has become a multi-media tool to keep people networked. A lot of abuse is happening, victims of which finally seek psychiatric help. Selfies are another area where people turn narcissists and land in freak accidents. Often the public lacks in mobile phone etiquette,” said Dr C J John.

Thursday, August 07, 2014

Have you ever noticed how good it feels to walk barefoot on a sandy beach, or in a forest? There is a reason for that—it’s called the grounding effect. The reason for this sense of well-being is due to the fact that you’re receiving a surge of potent healing electrons from the ground.

The earth has a slightly negative charge, so when you stand barefoot on that sand, electrons from the earth flow into your body, giving you a virtual “transfusion” of healing power.

The featured documentary, The Grounded 2, is a sequel to the film The Grounded, released in 2013. The sequel features Step Sinatra, the son of cardiologist Stephen Sinatra MD, astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell, and yours truly, among many others.

Step was a Wall Street trader until his health suddenly began to decline, bringing him to the brink of death. He credits his ultimate recovery to learning about grounding, along with a switch to an all-organic diet.

The producers of this film are allowing a full and FREE viewing through 8/8. You can learn more about this film by CLICKING HERE.

The Ultimate Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory

Grounding or Earthing is defined as placing one’s bare feet on the ground whether it be dirt, grass, sand, or concrete (especially when humid or wet). When you ground to the electron-enriched earth, an improved balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system occurs.

The earth is a natural source of electrons and subtle electrical fields, which are essential for proper functioning of immune systems, circulation, synchronization of biorhythms and other physiological processes and may actually be the most effective, essential, least expensive, and easiest to attain antioxidant.

Modern science has thoroughly documented the connection between inflammation and all of the chronic diseases, including the diseases of aging and the aging process itself. It is important to understand that inflammation is a condition that can be reduced or prevented by grounding your body to the Earth, the way virtually all of your ancestors have done for hundreds if not thousands of generations.

How the Modern Running Shoe May Be Destroying Your Health

Materials such as metals are electrical conductors. They contain free or mobile electrons that can carry electrical energy from place to place.

Your body is somewhat conductive because it contains a large number of charged ions (called electrolytes) dissolved in water. Your blood and other body fluids are therefore good conductors. Free or mobile electrons can also move about within your body

Other materials, called insulators, have very few free or mobile electrons. Plastic and rubber are good insulators and are used to cover electrical wires to keep the conductors from touching each other and from touching your skin, which could otherwise give you a shock.

Traditionally, shoes were made of leather, which actually conducts electrons and therefore maintains a conductive contact between the earth and your feet. However, modern day rubber and plastics are electrical insulators and therefore block the beneficial flow of electrons from the Earth to your body.

Grounding Is a Foundational Aspect for Optimal Health

This is one of the primary reasons why antioxidants are used, which actually donate electrons back into your body, to help ward off free radical damage to your tissues.

You can also get these electrons by going outside, barefoot. Touching the earth helps neutralize the damaging positive charges of free radicals in your body.

According to Clint Ober, this lack of grounding appears to be an underlying thread in most chronic disease—a phenomenon he calls “electron deficiency syndrome.”

For a visual demonstration of this, review my previous article, which features an experiment conducted by Gary Schwartz, PhD, at the University of Arizona. Using sunflowers, he demonstrates the powerful biological effects of grounding.

The Health Effects of Grounding

When your body is exposed to a lot of free radical stress, your blood tends to thicken, and positive charges accumulate in your body. This causes chronic inflammation, which is a hallmark of most chronic and degenerative diseases.

Grounding effectively helps alleviate inflammation in your body. It also helps thin your blood, by providing your red blood cells with a surplus of electrons so they can effectively repel each other and avoid being sticky, which can lead to blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke. Research has demonstrated it takes about 80 minutes for the free electrons from the earth to reach your bloodstream and transform your blood cells.

For example, early (and even some current) birth control pills were notorious for causing heart attacks in women. One of the mechanisms responsible for this increased risk is that synthetic estrogens and progesterones increase blood viscosity. Other biochemical alterations caused by grounding include changes in:

Phosphorus

Calcium metabolism

Fibroid metabolism

White blood cells

Grounding also helps calm your sympathetic nervous system, which supports your heart rate variability, which plays an important role in balancing, in your autonomic nervous system. Pain relief, improved sleep, and a generally enhanced sense of well-being are but a few of the health benefits reported by people who try grounding.

Last but not least, when you are grounded to the earth, the negatively charged electrons you receive increase the structure of the water in your cells—just as water increases in structure when a negative charge is introduced by an electrode.

How to Ground, Both Indoors and Outdoors

Walking barefoot is one of the easiest and best ways to get and stay grounded, but you’ll need to do so on the proper surface. Many walking surfaces in today’s modern world will NOT allow for electron transfer between the earth and your body. This includes asphalt, wood, rubber, plastic, vinyl, tar, and tarmac. Surfaces that will allow your body to ground include:

Sand (beach)

Grass (preferably moist)

Bare soil

Concrete and brick (as long as it’s not painted or sealed)

Ceramic tile

Even indoors, and while flying, there are ways to help you stay grounded. As noted in the film, touching the faucet with one hand while shaving with the other helps you ground. And when flying, you can take off your shoes and place your feet (bare or with socks) on the steel struts of the chair in front of you, as this too will help you stay grounded. There are also grounding pads you can use to sleep or sit on, which can be particularly beneficial if you live in a high-rise building.

Grounding May Be Essential for Life and Health

It’s important to understand that grounding is not a “treatment” or a “cure” for any disease or disorder. Rather, it is one of the key mechanisms by which your body maintains equilibrium and health. The human body evolved in constant contact with the earth, and your body needs this continuous interchange of energy in order to function properly.

Exercising barefoot outdoors is one of the most wonderful, inexpensive and powerful ways of incorporating grounding into your daily life. You can also simply take off your shoes as much as you can when you’re outdoors to take advantage of these natural grounding opportunities.

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About Me

While I have always been extremely health conscious and am presently in excellent health, I did become temporarily out-of-commission (i.e. I was really sick) in 2005 with a number of at the time unexplainable symptoms. I was quite puzzled at the time because I had been eating mainly organically grown food, drinking spring water, doing Yoga every morning, and going to the gym several times a week. In other words, I was doing everything one is supposed to do to stay healthy. I was not supposed to get sick. It took me six months before discovering or even imagining the main source of the problem - which was in fact "overexposure to electromagnetic" - especially microwave - radiation. I was living within 200 meters of two cell phone towers at the time and within 500 meters of a 3rd one with numerous WiFi signals bleeding into my apartment from adjacent neighbors. I developed a host of symptoms, which are found in what has been misleadingly described as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) -- but much more accurately described as Radio Wave or Microwave Sickness. Large numbers of people in the USA suddenly started getting sick in 1984...